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

Capítulo 55

The rain kept falling, seemingly without end.

Returning Here - Meeting You Again in the Season of Falling Flowers 3

In the late spring evening, a light rain falls, and the leaves are covered with dewdrops.

When Shuangjing, Xuansheng, and Longye arrived at the place where Cheshui was fighting Hua Wushuang, this was the scene they saw.

A figure in sky blue stood quietly amidst the misty, serene rain. Her long hair flowed like a spring, her posture was like bamboo, and her clear and transparent demeanor seemed as if she might be carried away to the horizon by the wind that was constantly moving around.

“…Che…A-Che?” Shuang Jing was a little worried and unconsciously took a step forward, calling out softly, afraid that the person in front of her was just an illusion and would disappear in the blink of an eye: “A-Che, what’s wrong with you?”

"Ah?" The master of Chongchonglou finally came to his senses, turned around and smiled when he saw them, but there was a trace of sadness in his eyes: "You've come?" He then looked behind them, frowned and asked nervously: "Where's Plum Blossom? What happened to her?"

"She's alright." Seeing his calm expression, Shuangjing finally felt a little relieved: "My brother-in-law arrived. He also said that Baiyun and Jinguan are both..."

"It's nothing serious, just some cuts on their faces and bodies, especially Baiyun, who got a cut on her arm..." She felt Xuansheng gently squeeze her hand, then coughed and said, "Although the wound is deep, it didn't break the bone... In short, they're all fine." Everything she had to report was important, and she didn't know where to begin.

Che Shui breathed a slight sigh of relief, feeling his heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally return to its normal beating. He took a step back and leaned against a nearby rock, only then realizing that the wounds he had sustained in his fight with Hua Wushuang were all throbbing. He frowned and clutched his left waist, intending to push through, but he was truly exhausted from the past few days. Before he knew it, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Ache!"

"OP!"

The two people in front of him hurriedly stepped forward to support him. Che Shui looked up and saw two extremely panicked faces; Xuan Sheng's brows were tightly furrowed, his face was pale, and his worried expression looked like he was about to cry.

"Ah Che, how are you? Is the poison acting up? Where does it hurt?" From the moment she saw him, Shuang Jing felt something was wrong with him. She was so anxious that she didn't know what to do. Seeing his dazed eyes, pale face, and numerous wounds on his body, she didn't know if he had been caught in some strange illusion or was seriously injured. She didn't dare to touch him at all, so she could only hold his hand tightly and ask anxiously.

Che Shui shook his head, smiled calmly, and then placed Xuan Sheng's hand on Shuang Jing's.

"I think... this is as far as I can accompany you." He said with a breathless laugh.

Shuang Jing was horrified: "What did you say? Don't say such foolish things! I will definitely get the antidote..."

“That’s not what I meant, Xiao Jing, don’t worry…” Che Shui patted her hand reassuringly, his eyes gentle and his tone steady: “I understand what you want to prove to the Invincible Heroine. And I understand what she wants you to understand. The road ahead is now yours to walk.” He paused, looking at the stone pillar not far away, and the spot where Hua Wushuang had fallen without looking back, clutching the thorn fan: “…We’ve passed this hurdle. Next, we should face Xuan Sheng’s father and your master. As for what the treasure of Qianxia Tower is, I think I can roughly guess.” This last sentence was for Long Ye. He smiled faintly, leaned against the stone beside him, and closed his eyes wearily: “Xiao Jing, I’m tired.”

Upon hearing this, Shuangjing immediately burst into tears, but she still understood his words and grasped his hand in return: "I know, A-Che."

I know all of that.

Their journey—that of the four of them—her, Cheshui, Xuansheng, and Tiansha—has finally come to an end at this moment.

It wasn't the moment when Tian Sha fell from the tower and perished.

It wasn't the day she waited for him at the Seven Stone Gate, like a transparent shadow gazing into the distance.

It wasn't the time when Xuan Sheng opened his eyes and regarded all the years as a fleeting dream.

But now, they finally admit that they are tired, weary, and really want to let go.

It is now that they have no choice but to rely on their rising and growing successors to navigate these perilous paths and the gates of life and death.

This dream was so long.

The time has finally come to put down my hands.

From now on, you must support and assist each other.

Che Shui was tired and needed to rest, because a new journey would begin tomorrow.

"No matter what the outcome, Xiao Jing, I'm really happy." Che Shui said with a breathless laugh, leaning against the rock, slowly closing her eyes, and murmuring, "Thank you for giving me the most brilliant and glorious world of martial arts since that summer when I was thirteen."

“It’s ours,” Shuangjing said firmly. “It’s what we gave to each other.”

Boundless and distant, what a long, dreamlike period of time!

Passing by the lush, green lakeside, gliding across the river where reeds form clouds, and whistling over towering mountains, do you still remember the bustling scene of fireworks filling the sky, and the flute and zither music under the cold moon over the clear pond?

Each memory is like a painting: Tian Sha sings loudly with a smile amidst pink lotus leaves and green leaves; Che Shui stands under the full moon with his robes fluttering; Xuan Sheng holds Shuang Jing's hands, smiles at each other, and then never separates again.

"Rest well, Lord of Chongchonglou." Shuangjing stood up with a smile. As she stood up, it was as if she had cut through the rain falling from the sky. Behind her still slender figure, it was as if countless golden rays of dawn broke through the clouds and fell down: "After you get better, let's go conquer the world together."

Che Shui closed his eyes and smiled silently.

As I drifted into sleep, it seemed I had left the misty, rain-swept valley and was now gazing upon the shimmering, tranquil lake. The girl, soaking wet, laughed as she dodged the stones he threw. Amidst the splashing water, she chuckled, "Alright, let's conquer the world together!"

We've traversed the years, and even amidst the fiercest currents, you've always stood by my side.

Seeing him fall asleep peacefully, Shuangjing, Xuansheng, and Longye exchanged a glance, then turned around and set off on the road leading up the mountain.

No one looked back.

As they passed through the increasingly deep forest, the rain poured down harder and harder, and in no time, the three of them were soaked to the bone. Xuan Sheng originally wanted to protect Shuang Jing from the wind and cold, but she refused his kindness. Instead of letting him carry her up the mountain, she jumped down and hurried on her way at the same pace.

“Xuansheng…” As they rounded another bend in the mountainside, Shuangjing finally couldn’t help but ask, “How well do you know your father…?”

"I don't know." Xuan Sheng's brief and swift answer, though calm, revealed his inner doubts and unease. He took Shuang Jing's hands and quickly checked her pulse, confirming she was alright before saying, "A man who left home in my youth to pursue more refined martial arts, and hasn't set foot in Half Moon City for over ten years; I truly know nothing about him." His impression of him was very vague; what he knew was only what he'd heard from his mother, but he couldn't fathom the true weight of those praises and compliments.

"The real reason for leaving Half Moon City, the explanation for never returning, the excuse for abandoning his family—I know nothing of any of these," Xuan Sheng replied coldly. "The weight of my feelings for such a person is less than that for Lord Du or Plum Blossom, whom I've known for several months."

"Are you looking forward to seeing him?" After continuing on their journey in silence for a while, Shuangjing finally asked, her calm tone suggesting she already knew the answer: "After all, he is my father."

"Yes. I'm really looking forward to it." After thinking for a moment, Xuan Sheng nodded in agreement. He wouldn't lie, and even if he did, he wouldn't tell Shuang Jing. But honestly, this was indeed what he was looking forward to: knowing the truth, meeting his father, and... defeating him.

Every man would look forward to this kind of experience.

Even without his father by his side, he grew up chasing after a powerful figure, looking at those unattainable figures, and slowly becoming stronger. From looking up to looking at someone on equal terms, from learning to understanding, in order to fill the missing piece in his heart, Xuan Sheng truly felt that only by fighting his father could he truly become strong. Although it was for himself, it was also for Shuang Jing.

"We've arrived!" Long Ye suddenly stopped and said.

By then, they had already passed through the clouds and rain.

The two looked at each other side by side, and suddenly felt a sense of disorientation.

Before me stood that enormous pear tree once again.

The wind blew and the clouds dispersed; they wondered if they had stumbled into another fairyland. Perhaps it was also an illusion.

In the azure sky, white clouds drifted lazily, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of flowers. Sunlight dappled through the trees, like teardrops falling everywhere, while the shimmering stream, as gentle as a cradle, murmured softly, like a light, melodious song. A few pale white petals floated in mid-air, swaying and drifting down like slow-moving cotton wool, settling on the water's surface.

The green mountains are lush and verdant, the streams are crystal clear, and the air is filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds. The river water combs through the willow branches and grass on the banks, and every now and then tiny fish swim around the rocks that protrude from the water, leaping up with a splash and then sinking back into the water with a splash.

The water glistens with emerald green, reflecting the misty forest.

A gust of wind blew, bringing thousands upon thousands of snowflakes that covered them completely.

“Xuansheng…” Suddenly, Shuangjing tensed up and grabbed his robe, pointing to the side.

Sometime later, a stone table appeared under the tree, with two huge rocks serving as chairs. On the table was a chessboard, and a person was holding a black piece, deep in thought.

The branches laden with blossoms above his head drooped down, and dappled sunlight fell on him like raindrops through the green leaves. The green leaves, like the pale shadows of almost transparent celadon, obscured his face, revealing only a green robe trailing on the ground, like the verdant grass leaves after a spring rain.

"Finally here..." the man said in a calm voice, his black chess piece making a crisp sound on the board.

He slowly stood up, and a face resembling Xuan Sheng appeared before everyone.

The opponent in the final stage is Xuan Yue, the city lord of Half Moon City, formerly known as 'Chu Ye'.

Returning Here - Meeting You Again in the Season of Falling Flowers 4

Dark clouds fill the sky, frost and snow drift, mistaking the mountains for the edge of the heavens.

The north wind was biting, howling past with a sound and force that could almost cut cracks into a person's skin.

On a steep, precipitous cliff, two people stand facing each other.

The woman, dressed in a long, wide-sleeved robe of clear, vibrant green like the leaves of early spring, stood against the silvery snow like a tender bamboo shoot, upright and graceful, radiating the spirit of spring. A strong wind whipped her robe and sleeves, causing her long, black hair to shimmer and dance in the breeze, as if half-washed by a clear spring. She held a long sword in her hand, her delicate, fair face expressionless, yet a hint of sorrow lingered between her brows as she gazed at the person before her with a mixture of helplessness and regret.

Opposite her stood a man, handsome and tall with distinct features and affectionate eyes. He was wounded; his long sword was stuck in the snow beside him, with a few drops of bright red blood splattered around him. He clutched his left arm, the long sleeve torn into several pieces, blood flowing continuously from his fingertips.

He looked at the woman in front of him with some difficulty, forcing a smile that, though tinged with pain, was still gentle and tender.

"Your sword is still as fast as ever."

"Stop fighting." Fu Ping lowered her eyes and said calmly, "You can't beat me."

"I said..." the man forced a smile, coughing and panting, "Today... either I die by your sword, or... you and..."

I'm going back.

"..." Fu Ping remained silent, quietly watching the stubborn and persistent man before her, unsure whether to cheer for his courage or shed tears for his devotion.

They've known each other for over twenty years.

But why does he still not understand her?

"You know I don't want to kill you," she finally said softly, swallowing a sigh.

"Can you?" Chu Ye asked her with a touch of melancholy, then replied as if answering himself, "You can."

The duckweed didn't answer, but frowned slightly.

"And I am willing to die by your sword." He smiled sadly, looking at her with tenderness and affection, as if looking at a willful child.

"..." Fu Ping sighed, shook her head, and said calmly, "Why don't you understand?"

Snowflakes, like feathers, fluttered down like rain. Xuan Yue, the city lord of Half Moon City, opened her eyes and felt that the snow-colored petals falling from the sky were just like the snow that day, gradually enveloping everything in an endless, gentle white.

Turning his head, he saw three people staring at him.

The woman on the left had long, white hair as white as the pear blossoms blooming on her head. She wore a deep blue robe, the clothing of the previous dynasty, and her eyes were calm and expressionless.

Standing next to her was a man and a woman holding hands. The woman was slender and delicate, with thin arms and a pale face. Only her bright eyes were piercing and clear, like spring water in a snow-capped mountain or morning dew. The man beside her was protecting her behind him. Chu Ye looked over and suddenly felt a little dazed.

In my memory, it was as if it were a quiet dusk in Half Moon City, when two children who looked just like me ran excitedly toward me from the other side of the horizon.

"Xuan...Sheng?" He hesitated for a moment before uttering this unfamiliar name, his brows furrowing slightly as he called out. The scene before him shifted instantly; the child in his mind seemed to have suddenly grown up, his features and posture becoming steady, powerful, and resolute, transforming him into this seemingly invincible man.

"Father." Xuan Sheng looked at the man before him with cold indifference and detachment. After more than ten years, he finally spoke those two words to him again.

This person is a stranger.

It seems to contradict the impression I have in my memory.

Their silhouettes were similar, but with a touch of world-weariness and a calm composure born of a profound understanding of life's fleeting nature. Their quiet, indifferent eyes were almost identical. Even though they hadn't seen each other for over a decade, there was no joy or excitement in their reunion. Both scrutinized each other from head to toe, searching for similarities, trying to find a thread connecting them, or anything that could bind them together. They shared the same blood, yet it was as cold as ice, devoid of even the slightest warmth.

"Xuansheng, you have great courage to challenge the undefeated heroine Fuping." It was his father who spoke first. He nodded and said calmly with a hint of satisfaction.

But Xuan Sheng didn't appreciate his sentiments. He frowned and said in a cold voice, "Why is this?" He clenched his fists, suppressing his anger, "Why must you obtain this so-called treasure? Why set up this scheme? Why leave Half-Moon City? Why abandon Mother... and my elder brother?"

And then there's me.