Jianghu (un mundo de artes marciales) - No te cortes

Capítulo 19

Mountain Sounds - Rising Wind and Flooding Waters 4

The east wind blows, and the water turns a shady green.

A strong wind blew, and only the rustling sound could be heard in the lush green forest.

In a circular clearing amidst the verdant bamboo grove, two prominent gray stones stand, upon which sit two women, one older and one younger, facing each other. The older woman, seated on the larger stone to the left, possesses a delicate and unassuming appearance, yet her mere presence exudes a subtle, understated authority. Before her sits a little girl of about four or five years old, dressed in light blue. Her features hint at a future of unparalleled beauty; her small face is exquisitely delicate and adorable, her eyes clear and bright, her hair soft, and her large eyes gaze at the woman with a determined yet innocent expression.

"Jing'er, are you ready?" the young woman asked calmly, slightly raising her chin, a hint of an unreadable smile flashing across her eyes.

"Yes, Master, please make your move!" Shuangjing nodded earnestly.

The once-renowned, undefeated heroine, Fu Ping, smiled slightly, picked up a small stone between her two fingers, and flicked it to the right. The stone sliced through the air with a soft whoosh, causing leaves from the towering bamboo to fall like rain. Shuang Jing, sitting on the stone, instantly transformed into a streak of sky blue and rushed towards her. The swift, slashing sound of swords rang out, and the grass on the ground was drawn by the swirling air, bending and twisting in her direction. In no time, she appeared, carrying a large handful of green leaves in one hand and a long sword pierced with leaves in the other, walking towards Fu Ping. The sword was a bit too large for her small frame, so she could only barely walk on the ground behind her.

"Master, it's done." She raised her childlike face and said with a hint of pride to the woman sitting quietly on the rock.

—Hmm? Soon. Is it really all better? — Fu Ping still had her eyes closed, a faint smile playing on her lips as she spoke.

—Huh? Hmm! —

-real?-

-real!-

"Is that so?" With a slight raise of her eyebrows, Fu Ping smiled and asked the direction where Shuang Jing was, her eyes closed.

—Um…— Now she was a little suspicious. Her clear eyes darted around, scanning the surroundings, looking left and right. She then jogged back to the bamboo grove, circled it once more to make sure not a single bamboo leaf had fallen to the ground, before running back again, loudly confirming: —Yes!!—

—Then…— Fu Ping opened her eyes, smiling as she pointed behind her: —What's that?—

—Huh?— Shuangjing turned around and saw a leaf swaying from side to side at the very top of the bamboo, eventually drifting down gently in the wind. She stared wide-eyed at the bamboo leaf lying on the ground, pouting slightly in annoyance, and finally twisting her body in protest: —Master! —This doesn't count!

Fu Ping smiled slightly: "You did well this time. But you're still a little impatient, though. But Jing'er is still a child, so that's forgivable." She raised her head, looking at the surrounding bamboo forest, and said softly: "Jing'er, once you leave this mountain, you'll find that there are people in this world faster, more accurate, more ruthless, more powerful, and stronger than you. To defeat your opponents, you must not be hasty."

"Master, why did you leave the mountain? I like it here." Shuangjing pouted and asked, taking leaves from her sword one by one.

Hearing this, Fu Ping sighed, looking at her with a mixture of pity and amusement: "You are the second young master of the Seven Stones Sect. Even if you want to stay away from trouble, the conflicts of the martial world will still find you. Rather than that, you'd be better off observing carefully, thinking deeply, understanding yourself, and understanding the world, so you can know where you truly stand in this world."

"Oh." The little girl nodded, seemingly understanding, then lowered her head and pondered for a moment like an adult. She then looked up in confusion, her childish face full of question marks: "Master..."

-Um?-

—And what brought you into this world?—

The words sounded hollow and ethereal, as if they came from the other side. Shuangjing saw her childhood face and immediately opened her eyes.

My whole body aches, especially the sword wound on my arm, which burns with waves of pain. Even the slightest movement feels like the wound is being torn apart.

She raised her hand with some curiosity and rotated her wrist from side to side, and sure enough, she felt a slight tearing pain.

It seems like it's been a very, very long time since I've been injured.

Lifting up the not-yet-completely-dry sleeve, I carefully examined my left hand, starting from my wrist. There were small old scars on my fair skin. Although I hadn't picked up a weapon for several years, it was still difficult to restore my skin's smoothness and softness. People who have practiced martial arts since childhood don't have the flawless skin of a lady from a wealthy family. Even after years of recuperation, my skin still hadn't regained its luster.

She gently touched those spots with her finger.

The first scar was from a burn caused by sparks flying out during the first forging of a weapon. That forging was my first sword, and it was also the sword I used to fight Che Shui for the first time and defeat him.

The second scar, long and thin, stretches from her wrist to her arm like a red line. It was five years ago when she and Tiansha fell from Honghu Fortress. She tried to grab onto a protruding rock on the wall and got a deep cut. She bled a lot, and in the end, Xuansheng saved them both.

She couldn't remember the third and fourth marks; they must have been left over from when she was a child learning martial arts from her master.

The fifth incident occurred when she first descended the mountain to enter the martial world and participated in the Tianya Terrace of the Daifeng Pavilion. She was injured during the event, and it was from that time that the name of the young master of the Seven Stones Sect became known.

So many injuries. She was surprised that there were so many marks on just one arm; she could hardly remember them all.

These memories are all very vague.

Standing on the swaying bamboo forest, listening to the wind whistling as he practiced martial arts with his master on the mountain; his pouting and almost crying expression when he first defeated Che Shui; his nonchalant jokes with Tian Sha while hanging in Honghu Fort; the cold, silvery luster of his first artwork in the sunlight; and the thunderous cheers and gasps of amazement from the crowd as he stood alone on the arena at sixteen, watching his final opponent slowly fall. These colors are fading away.

Only then did I realize that the most profound memories had actually left no trace.

She stretched out her uninjured arm, trying to support herself, but found herself being held down tightly by something. Looking up, she saw that it was Xuan Sheng's right hand tightly hugging her waist. His eyes were closed, and he was obviously still unconscious, yet he was holding her so tightly, refusing to let go even in his unconscious state.

Shuangjing blinked, then slowly lay back down.

It wasn't cold around, and a fire had been lit. The golden-red flames danced constantly, casting soft, shimmering shadows on everything in the near-twilight sky. Plum blossoms lay nearby, their breathing even, as if they were asleep.

She moved to the side.

Then, like a cat that has been wandering for a long time and has finally found a warm corner, it moved timidly again.

After confirming that Xuan Sheng wouldn't wake up and then look at her with an expression of unbearable frustration, she buried her head in his arm with a bit of longing, nuzzling him with her nose and acting coquettishly like a little animal.

Although he was acting in the same way he always did when he was being cheeky, his clear eyes were unfocused and staring straight ahead. His pupils, cool and aloof, were as cold and deep blue as an autumn lake, perhaps because he was overwhelmed with too many emotions to express.

Xuan Sheng always exuded a familiar and reassuring warmth. Even though he seemed cold and indifferent, he was excessively attentive and considerate. However, she used to be able to smile happily as the one who was protected and pampered in every way, but now she had to watch helplessly as the tenderness that originally belonged only to her rightfully belonged to another person.

I simply can't find the words to describe this feeling.

Even the heartless are heartbroken?

Tears stain the pillow with mandarin ducks, how can I bear to sleep alone through the long night?

She suddenly remembered the first words her master said to her when she became his disciple.

At that moment, the undefeated heroine stood atop the mountain peak, amidst the clouds, overlooking the vast landscape before her, and calmly said: "The martial world is vast and boundless. It is said that wherever people are, that is the martial world. So what you must venture into is the world itself. There are many ways to establish oneself in the martial world. In a place where good and evil coexist, there are naturally various ways to make a name for oneself. Shuangjing, will you choose good or evil? Will you be a great hero or a villain?"

"Master, of course I want to be a great hero." — She said without even thinking.

Fu Ping chuckled and patted her hair: "Being a villain isn't so bad. At least it's much easier." Then, gazing at her, he continued: "To be a hero, besides upholding justice, you must also value the word 'emotion.' Everything in the world originates from this word, and as a woman, you will inevitably be entangled in it. I won't teach you to be heartless, for without emotion, one cannot become a 'hero.' I will only teach you to see yourself clearly."

—Hmm. — She nodded somewhat blankly.

Seemingly realizing it was perhaps too early to say these things, Fu Ping smiled and patted her hair: —Anyway, just remember…—

"Rather than clinging to each other in misery, it's better to forget each other in the vast world." Shuang Jing murmured these words, leaning expressionlessly against Xuan Sheng's chest. A chill ran through her to the bone.

Master, no.

The only miscalculation in her life, which made her the enviable leader of the Seven Stones Sect, soaring freely across the world, was these two sentences.

"See yourself clearly" and "forget each other in the world".

Because they know so well what they want, they are unwilling to forget each other in the world.

She would trade her martial arts skills and health for a life of mutual support and companionship.

She had always firmly believed this, but now she was exhausted.

Many years ago, she and Xuansheng were being chased and escaped. He carried her, who was seriously injured, step by step out of the trap. At that time, she felt that all the blood in her body was about to drain away, and her consciousness was gradually fading away. The cold air penetrated into her limbs and bones, but she felt extremely at ease because on his back, even death did not seem scary.

But now, I really want to die slowly, but in a warm environment.

Master, did I do something wrong?

I've come to understand myself, which is why I live such a difficult life.

Mountain Sounds - Rising Wind and Flooding Waters 5

At that moment, Xuan Sheng suddenly stirred, as if he had a nightmare, and immediately opened his eyes. He was dazed for a long time before realizing where he was. Looking down, he regained consciousness and looked at Shuang Jing: "...Sect Leader? You're awake? Are you alright?"

Shuang Jing raised her eyes, her gaze as calm and serene as a still pool, and looked at him indifferently.

For a moment, Xuan Sheng thought he was holding the white-haired woman he had left behind, who was equally expressionless and emotionless. He couldn't help but blurt out, "Shuang Jing?"

“You said…” The woman in his arms lowered her head calmly, and her eyes finally showed a trace of emotion after hearing her name: “You are no longer the person you used to be… Well then, that’s fine.”

"What?" Xuan Sheng looked at her in confusion, never expecting that her first words after waking up would be like this.

"Because... I'm not the Ye Shuangjing I used to be. So, isn't this just right?" Let's start over.

“Master…” Xuan Sheng sighed, then sat up and reached out to take her pulse. Seeing that her pulse was stable but she seemed weak, he suddenly felt a pang of heartache. Even though they were usually so cheerful and talkative, he knew that this woman harbored some kind of deep-seated wound he couldn't understand. He simply didn't know how to heal it. So he softly asked, “Master, what… do you want?”

"One sentence." Shuangjing looked at him, her eyes suddenly filled with sorrow. A sorrow that Xuansheng had never seen before: "Xuansheng, I only need one sentence from you."

"What did you say?" Xuan Sheng wanted to ask, but at the same time, he was a little afraid of hearing Shuang Jing's answer. The woman's persistence and seriousness were so direct and transparent, as if he might accidentally abandon all the beliefs and future he had held onto until now, and fall into eternal damnation with her.

Just then, Che Shui emerged from the depths of the woods, carrying several branches with large fish stuck in them in one hand and Xuan Sheng's Night Sword in the other. Her sleeves were slightly damp, and her long, black hair flowed in the sunlight like bright ribbons. Seeing that they were all awake, she exclaimed "Ah!" and rushed to Shuang Jing's side, anxiously asking, "Xiao Jing, you're awake? Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" She looked her over from left to right, then placed a hand on her wrist to take her pulse. After a while, her expression calmed down slightly.

“How could something have happened to her…” Plum Blossom sat up and said lazily, “I’m the one with a sore back and aching waist, I feel like I’ve been crushed by a big rock.”

"That's good too. It's not a bad thing if you, a fat woman, lose some weight," Che Shui said indifferently.

"Who are you calling fat?!" Plum Blossom nearly jumped up and pointed at his nose, roaring angrily.

"You... don't you even think about how tired I am carrying the three of you? And your clothes are all wet and heavy! My shoulders are so sore, you know?" Che Shui pouted, immediately putting on a pitiful and aggrieved look, pulling Xuan Sheng with one hand and Shuang Jing with the other: "My shoulders hurt so much. If Bai Yun or Jin Guan were here, they would have massaged them for me already..." He looked at the second young master of Banyue City with tears in his eyes: "Xuan Sheng..." Then he turned his head and drawled: "Give me a massage..."

"Um...I...I don't know how."

"Waaah...!" Che Shui was almost crying, but her expression changed immediately when she looked at Mei Hua: "You! Give me a massage!"

"Go to hell! Why should I?"

"Is this how you speak to your savior?!"

"Go to hell with your savior! I didn't ask you to save me!"

"Aaaaaah, you're so ungrateful! So ungrateful!"

"You're the one who's...wicked, wicked! You...you! How dare you say I'm fat!" Plum Blossom stood there, pointing at him, her anger growing increasingly intense. Finally, unable to say anything more, she stomped her foot, turned away, and burst into tears. She wiped her tears, trying to hide them from him, sobbing, "Waaah...you're being unreasonable! You reckless bastard! You son of a bitch! I curse you to lose all your hair! To become an ugly bald man...waaah..."

"...!!!!" Che Shui was completely dumbfounded. He stood frozen in place, his hand still pointing at the woman who was covering her face and sobbing, but he didn't know how to react. After a long while, he murmured, "Mei... Mei Hua... um... what... um... I'm sorry... I... I... I didn't mean to. Actually... you're not... um... you're not very fat..." He said incoherently, looking at Xuan Sheng for help, only to see the other person immediately turn his gaze to the silent Shuang Jing as if fleeing.

Oh no! What should I do?!

"Plum Blossom... um... don't cry... I... I..."

"Waaah... I'll forgive you if you give me five taels of silver."

"...Are you robbing me?!" Che Shui froze on the spot, and almost exploded in anger after realizing what had happened.

"Alright, stop fooling around." Suddenly, Shuang Jing, who had been silent all along, spoke up calmly, her gaze gently falling on Che Shui: "Where are we? Are we about to leave the mountain?"

"Hmm." Seeing her gaze, Che Shui knew she had already made up her mind. He tossed a piece of his sleeve to Mei Hua to wipe her (fake?) tears, then sat up straight and pointed south: "Follow this road, and in less than an hour, you will see the East Linjiang River."

“Following the East River, we will reach Beibai City in three days. Going further north will be much faster than the route we took before, and we can reach Ning Shuang Gate even sooner.” Mei Hua also sat down by the fire and said, picking up a dry twig and drawing on the ground.

“No.” Shuang Jing stared unblinkingly at the flickering flames, the intense firelight casting a faint blush on her face. She spoke clearly and firmly, each word distinct: “We’re going to Roujian Manor. To see someone.”

Everyone was taken aback and looked up at her; Plum Blossom frowned, thinking back, "The master of Soft Sword Manor, isn't that...?"

"One of the three people who have successfully completed the Hundred-Layer Tower in the past ten years, the Jade Prince - Hua Wushuang."